Hoshea is a masculine given name appearing in the Old Testament, derived from the Hebrew name Hosheaʿ (הוֹשֵׁעַ) meaning "salvation." The root of the name is yashaʿ, a Hebrew verb meaning "to save." In the biblical narrative, Joshua was originally named Hoshea, but Moses renamed him Joshua (a related name with an added theophoric element) after sending him as a spy, according to Numbers 13:16. Thus Hoshea is closely linked to the more familiar name Joshua in linguistic origin. Historical Significance Hoshea is best known as the nineteenth and final king of the northern Kingdom of Israel, reigning in the 8th century BC. According to the historian William F. Albright, his reign lasted from 732 to 721 BCE, while Edwin R. Thiele proposed dates of 732 to 723 BCE. The biblical account in 2 Kings 17 describes Hoshea as a vassal of the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V, but he later attempted to seek support from Egypt and withheld tribute, leading to the Assyrian siege of Samaria. The kingdom fell shortly thereafter, and the Israelites were deported, marking the end of the northern state. Variants and Cultural Forms The name Hoshea exists in several variant forms across different languages and biblical translations. The variant Hosea, also a Biblical name, differs in transliteration and is also the name of the prophet in the Book of Hosea. The form Oshea appears in some English Bible editions, derived from the Latin Osee. Other international forms include Hosee (Biblical Greek), Oseas (Biblical Spanish), and Oseias (Portuguese). All are ultimately related to the same Hebrew root meaning "salvation." Notable Bearers Hoshea son of Elah: the last king of Israel (2 Kings 17:1–6). Hoshea son of Nun: the original name of Joshua before his renaming (Numbers 13:8, 13:16). Key Facts Meaning: "salvation" Origin: Hebrew (root yashaʿ) Type: First name Usage: English Bible, Hebrew Bible Related Names: Joshua, Hosea